Whether you are ready to build your dream home, or to remodel the one you live in to become the stuff of dreams, you will need to find an architect to bring your exclusive architectural design to life. Read on for fast facts for finding your dream architect.

An Architect’s Job

When most people think of an architect, they are most concerned with having someone who can draw up the actual blueprints for a renovation or build. While this is the meat of the job, the architect will also be spending time with you to find out your needs and wants, as well as helping you to manage the actual work process.

Many architects will have relationships with contractors and tradesmen and can help you get bids and formulate a plan for completing your project. He or she should also be able to offer alternative options for keeping the project on budget and on time.

How to Choose an Architect

Choosing an architect is a serious choice, representing a large investment of time and money. Finding one who understands your lifestyle, budget and needs is vital.

Before you begin your architect search, you’ll need to do a little homework yourself. Minimally, you should have a budget and an idea of timeframe in mind, as well as a good idea of what you’d like your final project to look like. You can find references in architectural and design magazines, online or even take photos of houses with features that you like.

Once you know what you are looking for, you can begin to narrow down to a list of architects. Asking for personal references is a great place to start. You will want to peruse the candidates’ websites and review portfolios. Keep in mind that you want an architect with a similar design sense and who has experience working with projects in your price range.